Doubts from others can be a fuel for victory, rather than a hindrance. Keep winning, and the doubters may fall silent or even become admirers. But for a real victor, prestige is often not the goal; it’s the pursuit of success.
A friend of mine is a prime example of this spirit. After a decade of hard work, he sold his self-funded business for $73 million at just 32 years of age, pocketing over 80% of that amount. Can you believe it? His response was not to rest on his laurels but to take a brief surfing break before launching a new software business. When I asked him why he got back to work so quickly, he told me he wanted to prove that his success wasn’t a one-time thing.
In my financial journey, I’ve met many individuals who’ve achieved great success and yet continue to toil day and night. They believe they were fortunate and aim to recreate their success, perhaps to overcome feelings of guilt. Their drive and self-awareness are both inspiring and concerning, but I relate to them deeply as I, too, have the need to prove my doubters wrong.
Repeated Victory Silences Doubts
I can share a personal story about continuous doubt and eventual triumph from my experience coaching high school tennis. In my first year, we reached the division finals, something never before achieved at my school. Yet we lost, and friends teased that it was a fluke. The following year, we won the championship, but my friends still doubted us. In the third year, we successfully defended our title, beating a formidable team, proving that we were more than one-hit wonders.
The teasing finally ceased after our second division title, and my friends started to acknowledge my role in the victories. Some even asked for my advice, both on the court and off.
Winning is a satisfying feeling, but it wasn’t just limited to the tennis court. When criticized online, I used the disapproval as motivation, resulting in a boost in traffic to my site, Financial Samurai.
Turn Doubts Into Wins
Doubts from others can spark enthusiasm and energy. Learn how to use these doubts to your advantage and create small victories. When you prove your doubters wrong repeatedly, the only critic left to silence is yourself. This can lead to incredible self-confidence and help you tackle greater challenges.
As a hiring manager, I always appreciated candidates who could share stories of overcoming adversity. It didn’t matter how small the triumph; consistent small wins can translate into significant achievements.
Your journey to financial independence may start with small wins like paying off a car loan. But these small victories can snowball into substantial successes, such as becoming a Wall Street Journal Bestseller like my book, “Buy This, Not That.”
Celebrate the Small Wins and Aim for Bigger Ones
Embrace your small victories; they might transform into massive successes. You don’t need anyone’s approval to pursue what brings you joy. Though losing can be painful, regret for not trying is worse. With determination, you might find yourself winning on a grand scale.
